Mayo Clinic cardiovascular surgeon, Joseph Dearani, M.D., talks about the diagnosis and treatment of Ebstein’s anomaly. Visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ebsteins-anomaly/home/ovc-20199183?mc_id=global&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=sm&utm_content=cardiacanomalyheart&utm_campaign=mayoclinic&geo=global&placementsite=enterprise&cauid=10394 for more information on Ebstein’s anomaly or to request an appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Ebstein’s anomaly is a congenital heart defect that can differ from patient to patient. An Ebstein’s anomaly patient who is highly symptomatic can require urgent surgery as a newborn while others may not know they have this condition until late into adulthood. However, with advances in prenatal ultrasounds, this diagnosis can oftentimes be made prenatally. The timing of surgical treatment for Ebstein’s anomaly can vary depending on severity of the diagnosis as well as other compounding factors such as a hole in the heart or cyanosis.

The ultimate goal of surgical treatment for Ebstein’s anomaly is to repair the native tricuspid valve. If the tricuspid valve is too abnormal to repair, replacement is also an option. Patients who have undergone tricuspid valve repair or replacement for Ebstein’s anomaly require continuous followup for things such as irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, recurrent tricuspid valve problems, and ventricular function abnormalities.